PKW Partners with BNZ to support whānau

Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW) has announced a new strategic partnership with BNZ, which has resulted in the launch of a $2500 tertiary scholarship in banking or finance.

The PKW-BNZ Undergraduate Scholarship will be awarded annually for a student enrolled in a banking or finance-related degree programme.

Mitchell Ritai, PKW General Manager Shareholder Engagement, says a priority in recent years has been to partner with like-minded organisations with similar values who understand PKW and its whānau.

“We’re pleased to have this relationship with BNZ bank, which is looking after our everyday banking needs and partnering with us to provide increased opportunity to support our shareholders and iwi,” he says.

“Finance management and commerce are two of the most popular fields of study for students applying for PKW scholarships. The PKW-BNZ Undergraduate Scholarship recognises the importance we place on building capability and capacity in not only farming but more widely as well, including in areas such as business management, commerce and finance.”

Marcus Mcleod, BNZ Head of Region for Taranaki/Whanganui, said BNZ was incredibly proud to tautoko PKW and assist Taranaki tangata whenua with their tohu mātauranga and future ambitions through the PKW-BNZ Undergraduate Scholarship.

“This is an exciting opportunity to help a local organisation prosper and further assert the benefits of a te ao Māori kaupapa in Taranaki,“ he says.

“We can all grow together: Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa takitini.”

PKW is also engaged in BNZ’s Financial Health Check programme, which has run onsite workshops for PKW staff on budgeting, managing debt, investing, KiwiSaver and home ownership. PKW Chief Financial Officer Joe Hanita said financial wellbeing is a key developmental area for PKW whānau, and a plan is being developed to roll out the service to shareholders.

For more information on BNZ’s Financial Health Checks, go to: www.bnz.co.nz/business-banking/ financial-wellbeing